The 2026-27 Liga MX season is underway as Mexico’s top-flight soccer clubs battle for the Apertura and Clausura championships. Featuring 18 clubs, passionate rivalries, and an exciting split-season format, Liga MX remains one of the most competitive soccer leagues in North America.
The Apertura 2026 tournament kicked off in July 2026, while the Clausura 2027 competition will begin in January 2027. Throughout the season, clubs will compete for direct qualification to the Liguilla playoffs, where the league champion is crowned.
Toluca is the reigning champion of the 2025–26 Liga MX Apertura, while Cruz Azul holds the title for the Clausura.
Here you will find all the latest 2026-27 Liga MX Apertura and Clausura standings, team information, coaches, stadiums, top scorers, playoff qualification rules, and everything fans need to follow the Mexican soccer season.
2026-27 Liga MX Season Overview
The 2026-27 Liga MX season is the 80th edition of Mexico’s premier professional soccer league. Eighteen clubs compete across two separate tournaments—Apertura (Opening Tournament) and Clausura (Closing Tournament)—with each tournament crowning its own champion.
The new season introduces several major changes. Atlante returns to Liga MX after a long absence, while the league has officially removed the Play-In round, allowing the top eight clubs from the regular season to qualify directly for the Liguilla quarterfinals. Liga MX regulations also continue without promotion and relegation for the 2026–27 campaign.
2026-27 Liga MX Quick Facts
| Competition | Liga MX |
|---|---|
| Season | 2026-27 Liga MX |
| Country | Mexico |
| Number of Teams | 18 |
| First Tournament | Apertura 2026 |
| Second Tournament | Clausura 2027 |
| Season Start | July 2026 |
| Clausura Begins | January 2027 |
| Competition Format | Split Season (Apertura & Clausura) |
| Playoffs | Liguilla |
| Organised by | Federación Mexicana de Fútbol |
How the Liga MX Season Works
Unlike most European leagues, Liga MX uses a split-season format.
Every season is divided into two independent championships:
Torneo Apertura
The Apertura tournament begins in July and concludes in December. Each team plays 17 regular-season matches, facing every other club once.
At the end of the regular season:
- Top eight clubs qualify directly for the Liguilla.
- Quarterfinals are played over two legs.
- Winners advance to the semifinals.
- The season concludes with the Liga MX Apertura Final.
Torneo Clausura
Following the winter break, the Clausura tournament starts in January.
The format is identical:
- 17 league matches
- Top eight teams reach the Liguilla
- Two-legged knockout rounds
- Liga MX Clausura Champion crowned in May
What’s New in the 2026-27 Liga MX Season?
Several important changes headline the new campaign.
Atlante Returns to Liga MX
One of Mexico’s historic clubs, Atlante, returns to Liga MX after more than a decade away, adding another traditional rivalry to the competition.
Play-In Round Removed
Liga MX has eliminated the Play-In format beginning with the Apertura 2026 season.
Instead:
- Top 8 teams qualify directly.
- Quarterfinals begin immediately after the regular season.
This change rewards clubs that perform consistently during the league campaign.
Promotion & Relegation Remain Suspended
The Mexican Football Federation has confirmed that promotion and relegation remain suspended for the 2026-27 Liga MX season under the current competition regulations.
Participating Teams
Eighteen clubs compete during the season.
- América
- Atlas
- Atlante
- Atlético San Luis
- Cruz Azul
- Guadalajara (Chivas)
- FC Juárez
- León
- Monterrey
- Mazatlán
- Necaxa
- Pachuca
- Puebla
- Querétaro
- Santos Laguna
- Tigres UANL
- Toluca
- UNAM (Pumas)
These clubs represent some of Mexico’s biggest football cities and continue to produce one of the highest average attendances in North American soccer.
Clubs, Coaches, Captains & Stadiums
| Club | Coach | Captain | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| América | André Jardine | Henry Martín | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| Atlas | Gonzalo Pineda | Aldo Rocha | Estadio Jalisco |
| Atlante | TBD | TBD | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes |
| Atlético San Luis | Guillermo Abascal | Javier Güémez | Alfonso Lastras |
| Cruz Azul | Nicolás Larcamón | Ignacio Rivero | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
| Guadalajara | Gabriel Milito | Javier Hernández | Estadio Akron |
| FC Juárez | Martín Varini | Francisco Calvo | Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez |
| León | Eduardo Berizzo | Andrés Guardado | Estadio León |
| Mazatlán | Robert Dante Siboldi | Jefferson Intriago | Estadio El Encanto |
| Monterrey | Domènec Torrent | Héctor Moreno | Estadio BBVA |
| Necaxa | Fernando Gago | Alexis Peña | Estadio Victoria |
| Pachuca | Jaime Lozano | Gustavo Cabral | Estadio Hidalgo |
| Puebla | Pablo Guede | Diego de Buen | Estadio Cuauhtémoc |
| Querétaro | Benjamín Mora | Kevin Escamilla | Estadio Corregidora |
| Santos Laguna | Francisco Rodríguez | Carlos Acevedo | Estadio Corona |
| Tigres UANL | Guido Pizarro | Nahuel Guzmán | Estadio Universitario |
| Toluca | Antonio Mohamed | Alexis Vega | Estadio Nemesio Díez |
| UNAM | Efraín Juárez | Lisandro Magallán | Estadio Olímpico Universitario |
Torneo Apertura 2026
The 2026 Liga MX Apertura serves as the opening tournament of the 2026–27 season. Clubs compete across 17 matchdays before the top eight teams advance to the Liguilla.
With traditional powerhouses like Club América, Cruz Azul, Toluca, Monterrey, Tigres UANL, Guadalajara, and Pumas UNAM all targeting the title, the Apertura promises another exciting championship race.
Every point is crucial, as clubs fight for direct qualification to the knockout stage without the safety net of a Play-In tournament.
Apertura Standings
(Latest updated standings table – insert/update after every matchday)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cruz Azul | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 |
| 2 | Pachuca | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 3 | Tijuana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | Toluca | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 5 | Atlas | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 6 | Monterrey | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 7 | Necaxa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 8 | América | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 9 | Puebla | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Pumas UNAM | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 |
| 11 | Santos Laguna | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 0 |
| 12 | León | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 0 |
| 13 | Atlético San Luis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 0 |
| 14 | Atlante | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 |
| 15 | Juárez | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 |
| 16 | Querétaro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 |
| 17 | Tigres UANL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 |
| 18 | Guadalajara | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 |
2026 Liga MX Apertura Standings
The Liga MX Apertura 2026 regular season consists of 17 matchdays, with all 18 clubs playing each opponent once.
Unlike previous seasons, the Play-In round has been removed, meaning the top eight teams qualify directly for the Liguilla quarterfinals. The regular season runs through late November before the playoffs begin.
Latest Liga MX Apertura 2026 Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cruz Azul | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 |
| 2 | Pachuca | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 3 | Tijuana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | Toluca | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 5 | Monterrey | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 6 | Atlas | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 7 | Necaxa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 8 | Club América | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 9 | Puebla | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Pumas UNAM | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| 11 | León | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| 12 | Atlético San Luis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| 13 | Santos Laguna | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| 14 | FC Juárez | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| 15 | Querétaro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| 16 | Tigres UANL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| 17 | Guadalajara (Chivas) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 18 | Atlante | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Standings are updated through the latest completed matchday available at the time of writing.
Liga MX Apertura 2026 Golden Boot Race
The race for the Liga MX Golden Boot is expected to be one of the highlights of the season. Several proven scorers and exciting new signings are competing for the league’s top scorer award.
Current Top Scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ángel Sepúlveda | Cruz Azul | 3 |
| 2 | Salomón Rondón | Pachuca | 2 |
| 3 | Alexis Vega | Toluca | 2 |
| 4 | Uroš Đurđević | Atlas | 2 |
| 5 | Germán Berterame | Monterrey | 1 |
| 6 | Henry Martín | Club América | 1 |
| 7 | Carlos Rotondi | Cruz Azul | 1 |
| 8 | Gilberto Mora | Tijuana | 1 |
Top scorers update after every Liga MX matchday.
How Teams Qualify for the Liguilla
Beginning with the Apertura 2026, Liga MX has adopted a simplified postseason format.
Qualification Rules
- 1st–8th: Qualify directly for the Liguilla quarterfinals.
- 9th–18th: Eliminated from title contention.
The removal of the Play-In rewards consistent regular-season performances and shortens the overall playoff calendar.
Liga MX Tie-Breaker Rules
If two or more clubs finish level on points, the following criteria determine their positions:
- Goal difference (GD)
- Goals scored (GF)
- Head-to-head record (where applicable)
- Fair play record
- Draw conducted by Liga MX (if necessary)
These rules help determine playoff qualification and seeding.
Clubs to Watch During Apertura 2026
Cruz Azul
The defending Clausura champions have made a perfect start and look like one of the strongest title contenders after winning their opening two matches.
Club América
Always among the favorites, América boasts one of the league’s deepest squads and will again target another Liga MX championship.
Toluca
The reigning Apertura champions continue to challenge near the top of the table despite an early defeat, aiming to defend their crown.
Monterrey
With another strong squad and new attacking reinforcements, Monterrey remain one of the favorites to reach the Liguilla. Recent transfer activity has further strengthened the team.
Pachuca
After an impressive opening victory over Pumas, Pachuca has emerged as an early team to watch in the title race.
Torneo Clausura 2027
Following the conclusion of the Apertura tournament, the Liga MX Clausura 2027 will begin in January 2027, giving all 18 clubs a fresh opportunity to compete for the Mexican championship.
Just like the Apertura, every team will play 17 regular-season matches before the top eight clubs advance directly to the Liguilla quarterfinals. The Play-In format has been removed, making every regular-season match even more important in the race for playoff qualification.
The Clausura tournament traditionally produces one of the most exciting title races in North American soccer, with clubs like Club América, Cruz Azul, Tigres UANL, Toluca, Monterrey, Guadalajara (Chivas), Pachuca, and Pumas UNAM expected to challenge for the championship.
Liga MX Clausura 2027 Standings
The Clausura tournament begins in January 2027. The table below is designed for live updates throughout the season.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
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2026-27 Liga MX Playoff (Liguilla) Format
The Liguilla remains the deciding stage of the Liga MX season and determines the Apertura and Clausura champions.
Quarterfinals
- Teams seeded 1–8 qualify directly.
- Played over two legs.
- Higher-seeded clubs enjoy home advantage in the second leg.
Semifinals
The four quarterfinal winners advance to the semifinals, which are also played over two legs.
Final
The two remaining clubs meet in a home-and-away final to determine the Liga MX champion.
With the removal of the Play-In round, the postseason is shorter and places greater value on finishing inside the top eight during the regular season.
Key Dates for the 2026-27 Liga MX Season
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Apertura 2026 Begins | July 16, 2026 |
| Leagues Cup Break | August 2026 |
| Apertura Regular Season Ends | November 2026 |
| Apertura Liguilla | November–December 2026 |
| Apertura Final | December 2026 |
| Clausura 2027 Begins | January 2027 |
| Clausura Regular Season Ends | April/May 2027 |
| Clausura Liguilla | May 2027 |
| Clausura Final | May 2027 |
Teams Expected to Compete for the 2026-27 Title
Several clubs enter the season as favorites:
- Club América
- Cruz Azul
- Toluca
- Monterrey
- Tigres UANL
- Pachuca
- Guadalajara (Chivas)
- Pumas UNAM
These teams possess some of the strongest squads in Liga MX and are expected to battle for both the Apertura and Clausura championships.
How many teams compete in Liga MX 2026-27?
18 clubs are competing in the 2026–27 Liga MX season.
When did the Apertura 2026 season begin?
The Apertura 2026 season began on July 16, 2026.
When will the Clausura 2027 season start?
The Clausura tournament is scheduled to begin in January 2027 after the Apertura championship concludes.
How many matches does each team play?
Each club plays 17 regular-season matches in both the Apertura and Clausura tournaments.
How many teams qualify for the playoffs?
The top eight clubs qualify directly for the Liguilla quarterfinals.
Is there a Play-In tournament?
No. Starting with the 2026–27 season, Liga MX has removed the Play-In round.
Is promotion and relegation back?
No. Liga MX officially confirmed that promotion and relegation remain suspended for the 2026–27 season.
Which team returned to Liga MX in 2026?
Atlante returned to Liga MX ahead of the Apertura 2026 season.
Final Thoughts
The 2026-27 Liga MX season promises another thrilling year of Mexican soccer, featuring fierce rivalries, historic clubs, and an intense battle for the Apertura and Clausura titles. With Atlante’s return, the elimination of the Play-In round, and a renewed emphasis on regular-season consistency, every match carries added significance.
Bookmark this page for the latest Liga MX Apertura and Clausura standings, updated results, top scorers, and playoff race throughout the 2026–27 season.
